Laser Surgery and Stretch Marks have become topics that tend to go hand in hand. Stretch marks effect women, men, and children. Stretch marks are caused when the skin is stretched during pregnancy, weight lifting, and even growth spurts. They can be located on any place on the body but are more commonly seen on the abdomen, buttocks, breasts, legs, and arms. Stretch marks do not pose any type of health problem but can cause some people to be embarrassed about their appearance. Stretch marks just like scars are considered unacceptable in society; however, every one is susceptible to them.

Many people are now turning to laser technology to rid their bodies of these unsightly stretch marks. How laser surgery works is that the laser’s energy stimulates the skin underneath the stretch marks, which causes the fibroblasts to start dividing again. It also helps to stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen will help the skin to thicken below the scar until it looks more like the surrounding normal skin.

This new laser treatment has remarkable success in improving or even eliminating red or raised scars. The appearance of stretch marks improves over time with laser surgery with more noticeable improvement in three to six months after receiving laser treatment. Some patients did not notice much difference right after their laser treatment, but by the time of their six-month checkup there was a 50 percent improvement.

If you are considering laser surgery for your stretch marks, you should realize that the best candidates for laser surgery are patients with fair complexion and light pigmentation. If you have darker skin or a pigmentation disorder such as Vitiligo, you should receive a skin test to ensure that laser surgery would work for you.

Laser surgery in most cases does not require any type of anesthetic. It has been explained to feel like a slight tingling when the laser pulses or maybe like being flipped with a rubber band.

After treatment, like with all types of surgeries, results vary from patient to patient. Laser treatments are progressive and you may need more than one treatment to show a marked improvement according to the location and size of your stretch marks. Remember, new stretch marks or shallow stretch marks will show an improvement faster than older, deeper ones. In some cases, your surgeon may suggest that you use a tretinoin cream or a glycolic acid cream before and after your laser treatment.

Remember, you should talk with your physician prior to deciding on laser surgery or the use of any topical medications if you are breast-feeding. Some medications can be absorbed into the skin and your little one could in fact receive the medication through your breast milk.